Sulfenyl halide polymerization terminators

ABSTRACT

A method of preparing a functionalized polymer comprising the steps of initiating the formation and propagation of an anionically-polymerized living polymer, and terminating the propagation of the living polymer by reacting the polymer with a terminating agent selected from the group of agents defined by the formulas (III), (IV), and (V)                    
     where C is a carbon atom, S is a sulfur atom, X is a halogen atom, R 2  and R 4  are independently selected from hydrogen and carbon-based moieties, and where the phenyl groups are selected from unsubstituted and substituted phenyl groups.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to compounds that are useful for terminating anionicpolymerization reactions. More particularly, the compounds of thisinvention are polymerization terminators that impart a functionality tothe resulting polymer. Specifically, the compounds of this invention aresulfenyl halides. One preferred embodiment of this invention is directedtoward the use of these sulfenyl halides to terminate elastomers thatare useful in fabricating tires.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The formation of polymers by anionic polymerization is well known in theart. These polymers are typically achieved by the formation of a livingpolymer that reacts with monomeric segments. Completion of thispolymerization process is generally achieved by terminating this livingpolymer. In other words, the living end is reacted with a terminatingagent that quenches the polymerization process. Many terminating agents,which also include coupling or linking agents, are known in the art.

When conducting polymerizations on a commercial basis, it is importantto utilize process conditions and components that will allow themolecular weight of the end products to be narrowly and reproduciblydefined. The characteristics of a given polymer and its usefulness aredependent, among other things, upon its molecular weight. Hence, it isdesirable to be able to predict with some certainty the molecular weightof the end product of the polymerization. When the molecular weight isnot narrowly definable, or is not reproducible on a systematic basis,the process is not commercially viable. Living anionic polymerizationtypically affords the ability to control not only molecular weight, butalso to obtain a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution.

In the art, it is desirable to produce vulcanizates exhibiting reducedhysteresis loss characteristics. When these vulcanizates are fabricatedinto articles such as tires, power belts, and the like, they show anincrease in rebound, a decrease in rolling resistance, and will haveless heat build-up when mechanical stresses are applied.

It is believed that a major source of hysteretic power loss is caused bythe section of the polymer chain from the last cross link of thevulcanizate to the end of the polymer chain. This free end cannot beinvolved in an efficient, classically recoverable process; and as aresult, any energy transmitted to this section of the cured vulcanizateis lost as heat. It is known in the art that this type of mechanism canbe reduced by preparing higher molecular weight polymers that will havefewer end groups. However, this procedure is not useful because rubberprocessability when combined with compounding ingredients decreasesrapidly during mixing and shaping operations.

It is also known in the art to reduce hysteresis loss by providing theend of the polymeric chain with a functional unit that will serve toanchor the free end and reduce hysteresis loss. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,552,473 to Lawson et al. teaches polymers initiated with onefunctional group and terminated with a second functional group. As aresult, an elastomer is produced having greater affinity for compoundingmaterials, such as carbon black, thereby reducing hysteresis loss.Others have provided the end of elastomers that are useful in makingtires with a number of end-functionalities. For example, U.S. Pat. No.5,015,692 teaches polymer functionalization through terminatingreactions with nitro compounds, phosphoryl chloride compounds, and aminosilane compounds. In a similar fashion, U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,416 teachesend-functionalization through terminating reactions with phosphorylchloride, amino silane, acrylamides, or aminovinyl silane compounds incombination with conventional silicon or tin coupling compounds. Stillfurther, U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,025 teaches a process whereby movingpolymers are reacted with certain terminating agents resulting in theformation of a reactive end-group that can subsequently be reacted withthe backbone of other polymer chains. The functionalizing agents includetetraalkylthiurane disulfides, xanthates, and certain compoundscontaining tetrachlorocyclopentadiene radicals.

Because the reduction in hysteresis of rubber vulcanizates remains agoal of the tire industry, there is a need for new and usefulfunctionalized polymers capable of exhibiting these properties. Also,functionalized polymers can be used in a variety of other applications.For example, certain reactive functional groups can serve as a locationwithin a polymer where grafting and coupling reactions can take place.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide acompound that can be employed as a terminator for anionic polymerizationreactions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a terminatorcompound that can impart a functionality to the polymer it terminates.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide aterminally-functionalized polymer that can be added to a recipe forfabricating tire components.

It is still another object to provide vulcanizates that are derived fromterminally-functionalized elastomers, where the functionalizationreduces the hysteresis loss of the vulcanizate.

It is another object to provide polymers with protectedsulfur-functionalities at their terminal positions.

It is yet another object to provide polymers with protectedsulfur-functionalities that are capable of interacting with othercomponents within rubber vulcanizates such as reinforcing fillers andother polymer chains.

At least one or more of the foregoing objects, together with theadvantages thereof over the known art relating to functionalizedpolymers and vulcanizates thereof, which shall become apparent from thespecification that follows, are accomplished by the invention ashereinafter described and claimed.

In general the present invention provides a method of preparing afunctionalized polymer comprising the steps of initiating the formationand propagation of an anionically-polymerized living polymer, andterminating the propagation of the living polymer by reacting thepolymer with a terminating agent selected from the group of agentsdefined by the formulas (III), (IV), and (V)

where C is a carbon atom, S is a sulfur atom, X is a halogen atom, R₂and R₄ are independently selected from hydrogen and carbon-basedmoieties, and where the phenyl groups are selected from unsubstitutedand substituted phenyl groups.

The present invention also includes a method of terminating ananionically-polymerized polymer comprising the step of reacting aliving, anionically-polymerized polymer with a terminating agent that isdefined by the formula (I)

R₁—S—X  (I)

where S is a sulfur atom, X is a halogen atom, and R₁ is a carbon-basedmoiety, with the proviso that the carbon-based moiety does not include aZerewittenoff-reactive substituent.

The present invention further provides avulcanizate prepared by aprocess comprising the steps of vulcanizing a vulcanizable compositionof matter that includes at lease one polymer that has been prepared byreacting a living, anionically-polymerized polymer with a terminatingagent that is defined by the formula (I)

 R₁—S—X  (I)

where S is a sulfur atom, X is a halogen atom, and R₁ is a carbon-basedmoiety, with the proviso that the carbon-based moiety does not include aZerewittenoff-reactive substituent.

The present invention also includes a method for grafting a polymericchain to another polymer comprising the steps of reacting at least onefunctionalized polymer with a second polymer that contains a reactivesite where the functionalized polymer is prepared by reacting a living,anionically-polymerized polymer with a terminating agent that is definedby the formula (I)

R₁—S—X  (I)

where S is a sulfur atom, X is a halogen atom, and R₁ is a carbon-basedmoiety, with the proviso that the carbon-based moiety does not include aZerewittenoff-reactive substituent.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

It has now been found that anionically-polymerized living polymers canbe terminated with certain sulfenyl halide compounds. Advantageously,this termination provides the polymer with a functionality at itsterminal end that has an affinity for other compounds typically used inpolymeric compositions such as reinforcing fillers. Therefore,vulcanizates derived from these polymers exhibit improved propertiesincluding reduced hysteresis loss. Accordingly, the present invention isdirected toward sulfenyl halide compounds and their use as terminatorsin anionic polymerization reactions. Also, the preferred embodiments ofthis invention include polymers that contain a terminal functionalitythat results from termination with a compound of this invention,vulcanizable compositions of matter including these terminated polymers,and the resulting vulcanizates that demonstrate reduced hysteresis lossproperties.

The sulfenyl halide compounds of this invention are generally definedaccording to formula I

R₁—S—X  (I)

where S is a sulfur atom, X is a halogen atom, and R₁ is a carbon-basedmoiety. Preferred halogen atoms include chlorine, bromine, and fluorine,with chlorine being the most preferred halogen. The carbon-based moietycan include any monovalent structure known in the field of organicchemistry so long as the structure is neutral toward a living polymerchain end. In other words, the structure will not interact strongly withor react with a living polymer. For purposes of this specification,these substituents will be referred to as neutral substituents. One typeof substituent that will react with a living polymer chain end is aZerewittenoff-reactive substituent. As those skilled in the art willappreciate, a Zerewittenoff-reactive substituent, such as an activehydrogen, is a substituent that will react with methyl magnesiumbromide. As a general rule, hydrogen atoms that are connected to oxygen,nitrogen, sulfur, or phosphorus are Zerewittenoff-reactive substituents;although this group is not exhaustive because some highly acidiccarbon-hydrogen groups are Zerewittenoff-reactive substituents. For afurther understanding of Zerewittenoff-reactive substituents, one canrefer to ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY REACTIONS, MECHANISMS, ANDSTRUCTURE, 3^(RD) EDITION, by Jerry March, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1985). Other substituents that should be avoided include carbonyls, suchas esters, ketones, or aldehydes that can react with the living chainend.

Carbon-based organic moieties that are useful for practicing thisinvention include both aliphatic and aromatic groups. The aliphaticgroups can be saturated, i.e., alkyl groups, or saturated alkenyl oralkynyl groups. Further, the aliphatic groups can be straight chain,branched or cyclic groups. The aromatic groups can be substituted, whichmeans that a hydrogen atom on the phenyl ring is substituted with acarbon based organic moiety. The carbon-based organic moieties mayinclude hetero atoms. In other words, a carbon atom within an organicmoiety can be substituted or interchanged with another atom such asoxygen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorous, or nitrogen atoms.

Some organic groups include, without limitation, the following alkylgroups: methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl,cyclopentyl, isopentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl,dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl,octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, cyclopropyl, 2,2-dimethylcyclopropyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 1-methylethyl, 1-methylpropyl, 1-methylbutyl,1-methylpentyl, 1-methylhexyl, 1-methylheptyl, 1-methyloctyl,1-methylnonyl, 1-methyldecyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1-methylbutyl,2-methylpentyl, 2-methylhexyl, 2-methylheptyl, 2-methyloctyl,2,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,3,3-trimethylbutyl, 3-methylpentyl,2,3-dimethylpentyl, 2,4-dimethylpentyl, 2-3-3-4-tetramethylpentyl,3-methylhexyl, 2,5-dimethylhexyl and the like.

Oxygen containing organic groups include, without limitation,methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, methoxybutyl, methoxypentyl,methoxyhexyl, methoxyheptyl, methoxyoctyl, methoxynonyl, methoxydecyl,ethoxymethyl, ethoxyethyl, ethoxypropyl, ethoxybutyl, ethoxypentyl,ethoxyhexyl, ethoxyheptyl, ethoxyoctyl, ethoxynonyl, ethoxydecyl,propoxymethyl, propoxyethyl, propoxypropyl, propoxybutyl, propoxypentyl,propoxyhexyl, propoxhheptyl, propoxyoctyl, propoxynonyl, propoxydecyl,butoxybutoxymethyl, butoxyethyl, butoxypropyl, butoxybutyl,butoxypentyl, butoxyhexyl, butoxyheptyl, butoxyoctyl, butoxynonyl,butoxydecyl, pentyloxymethyl, pentyloxyethyl, pentyloxypropyl,pentyloxybutyl, pentyloxypentyl, pentyloxyhexyl, pentyloxyoctyl,pentyloxynonyl, pentyloxydecyl, hexyloxymethyl, hexyloxyethyl,hexyloxybutyl, hexyloxypentyl, hexyloxyhexyl, hexyloxyheptyl,hexyloxyoctyl, hexyloxynonyl, hexyloxydecyl, heptyloxymethyl,heptyloxyethyl, heptyloxypropyl, heptyloxbutyl, hexyloxypentyl,heptyloxyhexyl, heptyloxyheptyl, heptyloxyoctyl, heptyloxynonyl,heptyloxydecyl, octloxymethyl, oxtyloxyethyl, oxtyloxypropyl,oxtyloxybutyl, octyloxpentyl, oxtyloxyhexyl, octyloxyheptyl,octyloxynonyl, octyloxyoctyl, decyloxymethyl, docyloxyethyl,decyloxpropyl, decyloxybutyl, decyloxypentyl, decyloxyhexyl, anddecyloxyheptyl.

Similar sulphur, silicon, phosphorous, or nitrogen containing organicgroups are contemplated and should be known by those skilled in the art.

In one specific embodiment of this invention, the sulfenyl halidecompounds are defined according to formula II

where S is a sulfur atom, C is a carbon atom, X is a halogen atom, andR₂, R₃, and R₄ are independently selected from hydrogen and carbon-basedmoieties, with the proviso that at least one of R₂, R₃, and R₄ include acarbon-based moiety. Preferred halogens include chlorine and bromine,with chlorine being the most preferred. Preferred carbon-based moietiesinclude alkyl and alkenyl groups having from 1 to about 18 carbon atoms,and phenyl or substituted phenyl groups, where the substituted phenylgroups are organic moieties having from 1 to about 18 carbon atoms.

Exemplary compounds include:

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the sulfenyl halidecompounds will include at least one phenyl substituent and are thereforedefined according to formulas III, IV, and V

where the substituents C, S, X, R₂ and R₄ are defined as above and wherethe phenyl groups can be substituted. Proferred halogen atoms includechlorine and bromine, with chlorine being the most preferred.Non-limiting examples of specific compounds represented by the formulasIII, IV, and V include:

The substituted phenyl groups can more specifically be defined asmonovalent phenyl groups according to formula VI

where the monovalent bond is attached to the carbon atom shown informulas III, IV, and V, and R₅, R₆ R₇, R₈, and R₉ are independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen atoms, or carbon-based moieties asgenerally disclosed above. It should be understood that the open valentbond is covalently bonded to the carbon atom in formulas III, IV, and V.Again, these moieties should not include a substituent that can readilyreact with a living polymer chain such as a Zerewittenoff-reactivesubstituent. Preferably, the carbon-based moieties contain from 1 toabout 18 carbon atoms, and even more preferably from 1 to about 10carbon atoms. Furthermore, preferred carbon-based moieties include alkylmoieties that are linear, branched, or cyclic groups. These moieties maylikewise include hetero atoms, as defined above. Preferred moieties forR₅, R₆, R₇, R₈ and R₉ include alkyls having less than 6 carbon atoms,ethers such as methoxy and ethoxy groups, amino groups, and dialkylamino groups. Preferred halogen atoms include chlorine, bromine andfluorine.

Specific examples of compounds that contain substituted aryl moietiesinclude:

The sulfenyl chloride compounds of this invention can be synthesized bya number of reactions or techniques, employing a variety of conditions,and by using various solvents. Indeed, organosulfenyl halides have beenknown since the 1870's, and many synthetic approaches to them areavailable. For example, organo sulfenyl chlorides and bromides can beformed by the halogenation of disulfides:

where R can be a variety of organic groups, and Hal is the same as Xdefined above, such as chlorine or bromine, or a halogen containingcompound such as SO₂Cl₂, etc. Sulfenyl halides can also be formed by thehalogenation of thiols:

where R can be a variety of organic groups. This reaction has particularutility in the preparation of triphenyl methane sulfenyl chloride.Organo sulfenyl chlorides can be formed by halogenolys is ofmonosulfides, especially benzylic monosulfides. In one such case, benzylsulfenyl chloride can be formed by halogenolysis of triphenyl methylbenzyl sulfide by using iodobenzene dichloride as the halogenatingcompound:

Another method of preparing sulfenyl halides is through substitutionreactions such as:

Addition reactions with olefinic substrates can also be used, althoughthis results in a halo alkyl sulfenyl halide that is less preferred.Sulfenyl halides of fluorine and iodine are also known, but are preparedby less direct routes, such as substitution of fluoride for chloride, orsubstitution of iodide for a metal tom. Most, if not all, of the knownsulfenyl fluorides have a perfluoro organic group. For furtherinformation regarding the techniques that can be used to prepare thecompounds of this invention, one can refer to the three articlespublished by Kühle in SYNTHESIS, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS INSYNTHETIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY: One Hundred Years Sulfonic Acid ChemistryI. Sulfenyl Halide Syntheses (1970 pp 561-580), IIa. Oxidation,Reduction, and Addition Reaction of Sulfenyl Halides (1971 pp 563-586),and IIIb. Substitution and Cyclization Reactions of Sulfenyl Halides(1971 pp 617-638).

Some of the sulfenyl chlorides that are useful in practicing thisinvention are commercially available. For example, triphenylmethanesulfenyl chloride is available from the Aldrich Chemical Company ofMilwaukee, Wis.

As noted above, the compounds of this invention are useful forterminating anionic polymerization reactions. Anionic polymerizationreactions generally include the reaction of monomers by nucleophilicinitiation to form and propagate a polymeric structure. Throughout theformation and propagation of the polymer, the polymeric structure isionic or “living.” A living polymer, therefore, is a polymeric segmenthaving a living or reactive end. For example, when a lithium containinginitiator is employed to initiate the formation of a polymer, thereaction will produce a reactive polymer having a lithium atom at itsliving or reactive end. For further information respecting anionicpolymerizations, one can refer to PRINCIPLES OF POLYMERIZATION, 3^(RD)EDITION, by George Odian, john Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1 991), Chapter 5,entitled Ionic Chain Polymerization. This chapter is incorporated hereinby reference.

The monomers that can be employed in preparing a living polymer that canbe terminated according to this invention include any monomer capable ofbeing polymerized according to anionic polymerization techniques. Again,reference can be made to Chapter 5 of PRINCIPLES OF POLYMERIZATION inthis regard. These monomers include those that lead to the formation ofelastomeric homopolymers or copolymers, as well as those that lead tothe formation of thermoplastic homopolymers and copolymers, andcombinations of the two monomers. Suitable monomers include, withoutlimitation, conjugated dienes having from about 4 to about 12 carbonatoms, monovinyl aromatic monomers having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, trienes,and acrylates having from about 4 to about 23 carbon atoms. Examples ofconjugated diene monomers include, without limitation, 1,3-butadiene,isoprene, 1,3-pentadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, and 1,3-hexadiene.Aromatic vinyl monomers include, without limitation, styrene,alpha-methyl styrene, p-methylstyrene, vinyltoluene, andvinylnaphthalene. Examples of acrylate monomers include methacrylate,ethyl acrylate, butylacrylate, dodecyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate,butyl methacrylate, nonyl methacrylate, and octadecyl methacrylate. Whenpreparing elastomeric copolymers, such as those containing conjugateddienes monomer and aromatic vinyl monomers, the conjugated dienemonomers and aromatic vinyl monomers are normally used at a ratio of95-50:5-50, and preferably 95-65:5-35, respectively.

Likewise, any nucleophilic initiator can be employed to initiate theformation and propagation of the living polymers that can be terminatedaccording to this invention. Exemplary initiators include, but are notlimited to, alkyl lithium initiators, arenyllithium initiators,arenylsodium initiators, N-lithium dihydro-carbon amides,aminoalkyllithiums, alkyl tin lithiums, dialkyl magnesiums, alkylmagnesium halides, diaryl magnesiums, and aryl magnesium halides. Morespecifically, useful initiators include N-lithiohexamethyleneimide,N-lithiopyrrolidinide, and N-lithiododecamethyleneimide. Otherinitiators include organolithium compounds such as substitutedaldimines, substituted ketimines, and substituted secondary amines.Exemplary initiators are also described in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.5,332,810, 5,329,005, 5,578,542, 5,393,721, 5,698,646, 5,491,230,5,521,309, 5,496,940, 5,574,109, and 5,786,441. Reference can also bemade to Chapter 5 of PRINCIPLES OF POLYMERIZATION for sundrynucleophilic initiators.

Typically, polymerization is conducted in a polar or non-polar solventsuch as tetrahydrofuran (THF), a hydrocarbon solvent such as the variouscyclic and acyclic hexanes, heptanes, octanes, pentanes, their alkylatedderivatives, and mixtures thereof. In order to promote randomization incopolymerization and to control vinyl content, a polar coordinator maybe added to the polymerization ingredients. Amounts range between 0 andabout 90 or more equivalents per equivalent of lithium. The amountdepends on the amount of vinyl desired, the level of styrene employedand the temperature of the polymerization, as well as the nature of thespecific polar coordinator (modifier) employed. Suitable polymerizationmodifiers include, for example, ethers or amines to provide the desiredmicrostructure and randomization of the comonomer units. The molecularweight of the polymer (“base polymer”) that is produced in thisinvention is optimally such that a proton-quenched sample will exhibit agum Mooney (ML/4/100) of from about 1 to about 150. However, usefullower molecular weight compounds can also be made using theseinitiators. These might typically be considered fluids, having molecularweights ranging from several hundreds to tens of thousands of massunits. They can be used as viscosity modifiers, as dispersants forparticulates such as carbon black in oil, and as reactive modifiers forother polymers.

Polymers of the present invention can be of any molecular weightdepending on the intended application. Generally, for purposes of makingtire products, the molecular weight of the elastomers should fall withinthe range from about 50,000 to about 1,000,000 preferably from 80,000 toabout 500,000 and most preferably from about 100,000 to about 250,000.When used as a viscosity modifier, the molecular weight of the polymershould generally fall within the range from about 500 to about 50,000,preferably from about 1,500 to about 30,000 and most preferably fromabout 2,000 to about 15,000. The foregoing molecular weights representthe number-average molecular weight (M_(n)) as measured by GPC analysis.

Other compounds useful as polar coordinators are organic and includetetrahydrofuran (THF), linear and cyclic oligomeric oxolanyl alkanessuch as 2,2-bis(2′-tetrahydrofuryl) propane, di-piperidyl ethane,dipiperidyl methane, hexamethylphosphoramide, N-N′-dimethylpiperazine,diazabicyclooctane, di methyl ether, diethylether, tributylamine and thelike. The linear and cyclic oligomeric oxolanyl alkane modifiers aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,091 and the subject matter thereinrelating to these modifiers is incorporated herein by reference.Compounds useful as polar coordinators include those having an oxygen ornitrogen hetero-atom and a non-bonded pair of electrons. Other examplesinclude dialkyl ethers of mono and oligo alkylene glycols; “crown”ethers; tertiary amines such as tetramethylethylene diamine (TMEDA);linear THF oligomers; and the like.

A batch polymerization is begun by charging a blend of monomer(s) andnormal alkane solvent to a suitable reaction vessel, followed by theaddition of the polar coordinator (if employed) and an initiatorcompound. The reactants are heated to a temperature of from about 20 toabout 200° C., and the polymerization is allowed to proceed for fromabout 0.1 to about 24 hours. This reaction produces a reactive polymerhaving a lithium atom at its reactive or living end.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, therefore, thesulfenyl halide compounds disclosed above are reacted with a livingpolymer. It is believed that this reaction proceeds as set forth in thefollowing reaction mechanism:

Thus, termination of a living polymer with the sulfenyl compound of thepresent invention results in a terminated polymer having a sulfurcontaining end-functionality where the sulfur atom is attached to thepolymer chain as well as to a carbon atom on the terminal end of thefunctional group: this carbon atom may be referred to herein as theterminal carbon. This polymer can generally be represented by theformula VII:

Ideally, where a living polymer is prepared with an initiator thatprovides the polymer with a functional group at its initiated end,termination of this polymer with a compound according to this inventionwill result in a multi-functionalized polymer such as that described bythe formula VIII:

In general, polymers prepared according to this invention may beseparated from any solvent in which the reaction may have taken place byconventional techniques. These techniques include steam or alcoholcoagulation, thermal desolventizaition, or any other suitable method.Additionally, the solvent may be removed from the resulting polymer bydrum drying, extruder drying, vacuum drying, or the like.

Ultimately, the sulfur containing end-functionality will dissociatewhereby the bond between the sulfur atom and the terminal-carbon atomwill break and form the following reactive intermediate:

Where the S* indicates an active sulfur atom. The active characterassociated with the sulfur atom is most likely the result of freeradical, but it may in fact include some ionic character. Because it isnot desired to be limited to any particular theory, the terminal sulfurwill simply be referred to as an active sulfur. This active sulfur mayinteract with various fillers that can be present within elastomericvulcanizates, as well as the other components in the vulcanizateincluding other elastomers. The active sulfur may also be able to reactin various other reactions including coupling and grafting reactions.The dissociation of the sulfur containing end-functionality preferablyoccurs during processing or curing of the polymers. The nature andcharacter of the substituent R₁ within the compound defined in formulaI, above, or the nature and character of the substituents are sub R₂,R₃, or R₄ in the compounds defined by the formula 11 above will alterthe bond energy between the sulfur atom and the terminal carbon.Accordingly, these substituents will impact the ability of the sulfurcontaining functional group to dissociate. Accordingly, the selection ofcertain substituents may allow those practicing this invention tocontrol the point at which the sulfur containing functional groupdissociates: e.g. during processing or at certain temperatures, such ascuring temperature.

Sulfenyl halides can undergo addition to double bonds, as well assubstitution by organometallics such as Gringnard reagents andorganolithiums. Many of the living anionically - polymerized polymerscontain both unsaturation and an organometallic site. Because of thehigh reactivity of organo lithiums and organo magnesiums with sulfenylhalides, the site of most reaction will be at the living polymer chainend, but some amount of chain additions may also occur. It is believedthat the amount of addition that accompanies chain-end substitution willusually be small.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, elastomerichomopolymers or copolymers that have been terminated with the sulfenylhalide compounds of this invention are used within a vulcanizablecomposition of matter that is useful for fabricating tires. In thisapplication or use, these elastomeric homopolymers and copolymerspreferably include those prepared from conjugated diene monomers, aloneor in combination with vinyl aromatic monomers. These include, withoutlimitation, polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene copolymer, and isoprene.These elastomeric polymers can be used alone or in combination withother elastomers to prepare various tire component stock compounds.These stocks are useful for forming tire components such as treads,subtreads, black sidewalls, body ply skins, bead filler, and the like.The other elastomers that may be blended with the polymers preparedaccording to this invention include synthetic polyisoprene rubber,styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber (SBR), polybutadiene, butyl rubber,poly(chloroprene), ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, ethylene-dieneterpolymer rubber (EPDM), acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber(NBR), silicone rubber, fluoroelastomers, ethylene-acrylic copolymerrubber, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), epichlorohydrin rubbers,chlorinated polyethylene rubbers, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubbers,hydrogenated nitrile rubbers, tetrafluoroethylene-propylene copolymerrubber and the like. When the polymers of the present invention areblended with conventional rubbers, the amount can vary widely such asbetween about 10 and about 99 percent by weight of the conventionalrubber.

Typically, these vulcanizable compositions of matter include rubbercomponent that is blended with reinforcing fillers and at least onevulcanizing agent. These compositions typically also include othercompounding additives. These additives include, without limitation,accelerators, oils, waxes, scorch inhibiting agents, and processingaids. As known in the art, vulcanizable compositions of mattercontaining synthetic rubber stypically includeant idegradants,processing oils, zinc oxide, optional tackifying resins, optionalreinforcing resins, optional fatty acids, optional peptizers, andoptional scorch inhibiting agents. These vulcanizable compositions arecompounded or blended by using mixing equipment and proceduresconventually employed in the art. Preferably, an initial masterbatch isprepared that includes the rubber component and the reinforcing fillers,as well as other optional additives such as processing oil andantioxidants. Once this initial masterbatch is prepared, the vulcanizingagents are blended into the composition. This vulcanizable compositionof matter can then be processed according to ordinary tire manufacturingtechniques. Likewise, the tires are ultimately fabricated by usingstandard rubber curing techniques. For further explanation of rubbercompounding and the additives conventionally employed, one can refer toThe Compounding and Vulcanization of Rubber, by Stevens in RUBBERTECHNOLOGY SECOND EDITION (1973 Van Nostrand Reihold Company), which isincorporated herein by reference.

The reinforcing agents, such as carbon black or silica, typically areemployed in amounts ranging from about 1 to about 100 parts by weightper 100 parts by weight rubber (phr), with about 20 to about 80 parts byweight (phr) being preferred, and with about 40 to about 80 parts byweight (phr) being most preferred. The carbon blacks may include any ofthe commonly available, commercially-produced carbon blacks, but thosehaving a surface area (EMSA) of at least 20 m²/g and more preferably atleast 35 m²/g up to 200 m²/g or higher are preferred. Surface areavalues used in this application are those determined by ASTM test D-1765 using the cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) technique. Amongthe useful carbon blacks are furnace black, channel blacks and lampblacks. More specifically, examples of the carbon blacks include superabrasion furnace (SAF) blacks, high abrasion furnace (HAF) blacks, fastextrusion furnace (FEF) blacks, fine furnace (FF) blacks, intermediatesuper abrasion furnace (ISAF) blacks, semi-reinforcing furnace (SRF)blacks, medium processing channel blacks, hard processing channel blacksand conducting channel blacks. Other carbon blacks that may be utilizedinclude acetylene blacks. Mixtures of two or more of the above blackscan be used in preparing the carbon black products of the invention.Typical values for surface areas of usable carbon blacks are summarizedin the following table.

CARBON BLACKS ASTM Surface Area Designation (m²/g) (D-1765-82a) (D-3765)N-110 126 N-220 111 N-339 95 N-330 83 N-550 42 N-660 35

The carbon blacks utilized in the preparation of the rubber compoundsused may be in pelletized form or in unpelletized flocculent mass.Preferably, for more uniform mixing, unpelletized carbon black ispreferred.

With respect to the silica fillers, the vulcanizable compositions of thepresent invention may preferably be reinforced with amorphous silica(silicon dioxide). Silicas are generally referred to as wet-process,hydrated silicas because they are produced by a chemical reaction inwater, from which they are precipitated as ultrafine, sphericalparticles. These particles strongly associate into aggregates that inturn combine less strongly into agglomerates. The surface area, asmeasured by the BET method, gives the best measure of the reinforcingcharacter of different silicas. Useful silicas preferably have a surfacearea of about 32 to about 400 m²/g, with the range of about 100 to about250 m²/g being preferred, and the range of about 150 to about 220 m²/gbeing most preferred. The pH of the silica filler is generally about 5.5to about 7 or slightly over, preferably about 5.5 to about 6.8.

When employed, silica can be used in the amount of about 1 part to about100 parts by weight per 100 parts of polymer (phr), preferably in anamount from about 5 to about 80 phr. The useful upper range is limitedby the high viscosity imparted by fillers of this type. Usually, bothcarbon black and silica are employed in combination as the reinforcingfiller. When both are used, they can be used in a carbon black silicaratio of from about 10:1 to about 1:2. Some of the commerciallyavailable silicas that may be used include: Hi-Sil® 215, Hi-Sil® 233,and Hi-Sil® 190, produced by PPG Industries. Also, a number of usefulcommercial grades of different silicas are available from a number ofsources including Rhone Poulenc. Typically, a coupling agent is addedwhen silica is used as a reinforcing filler. One coupling agent that isconventionally used is bis-[3(triethoxysilyl) propyl]-tetrasulfide,which is commercially available from Degussa, Inc. of New York, N.Y.under the tradename S169.

The reinforced rubber compounds can be cured in a conventional mannerwith known vulcanizing agents at about 0.5 to about 4 phr. For example,sulfur or peroxide-based curing systems may be employed. For a generaldisclosure of suitable vulcanizing agents one can refer to Kirk-Othmer,ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, 3rd ed., Wiley Interscience, N.Y.1982, Vol. 20, pp. 365-468, particularly Vulcanization Agents andAuxiliary Materials pp. 390-402., or Vulcanization by A. Y. Coran,ENCYCLOPEDIA OF POLYMER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, 2^(nd) Edition, JohnWiley & Sons, Inc., 1989; both of which are incorporated herein byreference. Vulcanizing agents may be used alone or in combination. Thisinvention does not affect cure times and thus the polymers can be curedfor a conventional amount of time. Cured or crosslinked polymers will bereferred to as vulcanizates for purposes of this disclosure.

In another embodiment, anionically-polymerized polymers terminated withsulfenyl halides according to this invention can be reacted with otherpolymers or copolymers that include at least one reactive site. Thesereactive sites can include a double bond, or a triple bond. Thesereactions are useful for a number of reasons including, withoutlimitation, compatiblization of polymers and copolymers, alteration ormodification of the mechanical properties of polymers and copolymers,such as hardness, or the active sulfur can be used to reinitiate furtherpolymerization.

It is especially preferred that reaction between the polymers terminatedaccording to this invention and the other polymers containing at leastone reactive site take place by way of reactive extrusion. For furtherinformation respecting reactive extrusion reactions, one can refer toREACTIVE EXTRUSION PRINCIPALS AND PRACTICE, by Xanthos (1992 HanserPublishers).

In order to demonstrate the practice of the present invention, thefollowing examples have been prepared and tested as described in theGeneral Experimentation Section disclosed hereinbelow. The examplesshould not, however, be viewed as limiting the scope of the invention.The claims will serve to define the invention.

GENERAL EXPERIMENTATION

A styrene-butadiene copolymer was prepared by anionic polymerization andterminated with a triphenyl methyl sulfenyl chloride. Physicalproperties of the polymer, including viscosity, hysteresis loss, andtensile properties were examined and compared to those properties ofsimilarly prepared polymers that were not terminated with triphenylmethyl sulfenyl chloride.

In preparing the styrene-butadiene copolymer, 687.1 grams of styrenemonomer and 2125.9 grams of 1,3-butadiene monomer were reacted in 21.8lbs. of hexane and 4.6 mmol of oligomeric ethers. n-Butyllithium wasused to initiate the polymerization.

Under positive nitrogen pressure, the reaction was stirred at about 80°F. for about 4.5 hours and then the temperature was elevated to about120° F. for about two hours. The reaction mixture was then allowed tocool to about 86° F., and stirring was continued overnight. A sample ofthis reactive polymer, i.e., living polymer, was quenched with isopropylalcohol. By using GPC analysis, it was found that this quenched samplehad a number average molecular weight (M_(n)) of 134,400, a weightaverage molecular weight (M_(w)) of 169,300, and a molecular weightdistribution of 1.26. The polymer had a glass transition temperature(T_(g)) of −29.6° C., and a Mooney Viscosity of 26.8 (ML 1+4(100° C.)).NMR analysis showed that the polymer contained 24.8 percent by weightbound styrene, and 46.4 percent by weight bound vinyl content. No blockstyrene was observed.

A sample of about 522 grams of the living polymer was then reacted with28.6 ml of a 0.042 M solution of triphenyl methyl sulfenyl chloride inanhydrous toluene. The reactants were combined under a positive nitrogenpurge and agitated at 50° C. for about 16 hours, and then ultimatelyquenched with 1 ml of isopropyl alcohol. The polymers were then alsotreated with 2 ml of a one percent solution of di t-butyl paracresol,which is an antioxidant. The resulting terminally-functionalizedpolymers were coagulated in isopropyl alcohol, air-dried at roomtemperature, and subsequently vacuum dried at 60° C. to a constantweight. Analysis of the terminated polymers showed a Mooney Viscosity ofabout 25 (ML 1+4(100° C.), with the same microstructure andapproximately the same glass transition temperature as the base polymer.Also, the polymer had a number average molecular weight (M_(n)) of149,700, a weight average molecular weight (M_(w)) of 200,800, and amolecular weight distribution of 1.34.

The terminally functionalized and non-functionalized polymer preparedabove were separately compounded within a tire recipe. The tire recipeemployed is set forth in Table I:

TABLE I TIRE RECIPE Parts per Hundred Ingredient Parts Rubber Rubber 100Paraffinic Oil 10 Carbon Black (N-351) 55 Zinc Oxide 3 Antioxidant 1 Wax2 Masterbatch 171 Stearic Acid 2 Sulfur 1.5 Accelerator 1 175.5

Standard compounding techniques were used to blend the polymer,paraffinic oil, carbon black, zinc oxide, antioxidant, and wax blendinto a masterbatch within an internal mixer at about 140-145° C. at 60rpm. This masterbatch was then allowed to cool, and the stearic acid,sulfur, and accelerator were added, and the mixing was continued atabout 77-93° C. and 40 rpm for about 3 minutes. The resultingvulcanizable composition of matter was calendered and fabricated intotensile plaques that were 3″×6″ by 0.040″ thick. These plaques were thencured at 300° F. for 35 minutes. These plaques were then cured at 300°F. for 35 minutes, and the Dynastat buttons were cured for 40 minutes at300° F. The cured plaques were then subjected to physical testing todetermine ring tensile properties and hysteresis loss. The ring tensileproperties and the hysteresis loss properties were examined pursuant toASTM procedures. Table II sets forth the results of this testing.

TABLE II Non- Functionally Functionalized Terminated Property RubberRubber Tan{overscore (o)} @ 1Hz 50° C. 0.1949 0.1156 24° C. 0.24500.1510 Ring Tensile 300% Modulus (psi) 2026 2225 Tensile Strength atBreak (psi) 2874 2977 Elongation at Break (%) 402 344

The foregoing data shows that the rubber terminated with the triphenylmethyl sulfenyl chloride has a 41 percent reduction in hysteresis lossat 50° C.

Based upon the foregoing disclosure, it should now be apparent that theuse of the terminator compounds described herein will carry out theobjects set forth hereinabove. It is, therefore, to be understood thatany variations evident fall within the scope of the claimed inventionand thus, the selection of specific component elements can be determinedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention herein disclosed anddescribed. In particular, the sulfenyl halide compounds according to thepresent invention are not necessarily limited to those having a phenylsubstituent. Also, the invention should not be limited to thetermination of rubbery elastomers. Thus, the scope of the inventionshall include all modifications and variations that may fall within thescope of the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of preparing a functionalized polymercomprising the steps of: initiating the formation and propagation of ananionically-polymerized living polymer, and terminating the propagationof the living polymer by reacting the polymer with a terminating agentselected from the group of agents defined by the formulas (III), (IV),and (V)

 where C is a carbon atom, S is a sulfur atom, X is a halogen atom, R₂and R₄ are independently selected from hydrogen and carbon-basedmoieties, and where the phenyl groups are selected from unsubstitutedand substituted phenyl groups.
 2. A method of preparing a functionalizedpolymer, as set forth in claim 1, where said carbon-based moieties areneutral substituents.
 3. A method of preparing a functionalized polymer,as set forth in claim 1, where said carbon-based moieties include from 1to about 18 carbon atoms.
 4. A method of preparing a functionalizedpolymer, as set forth in claim 1, where said carbon-based moieties areselected from aryl groups, substituted aryl groups, amino groups,substituted amino groups, and alkyl groups.
 5. A method of preparing afunctionalized polymer, as set forth in claim 1, where said substitutedphenol groups are defined by the formula

where R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈, and R₉ are selected from the group includinghydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, and carbon-based moieties.
 6. A method ofpreparing a functionalized polymer, as set forth in claim 5, where saidcarbon-based moieties include from about 1 to about 18 carbon atoms. 7.A method of preparing a functionalized polymer, as set forth in claim 1,where said terminating agents are selected from


8. A method of preparing a functionalized polymer, as set forth in claim1, where said terminating agents are selected from


9. A method of preparing a functionalized polymer, as set forth in claim1, where said terminating agents are selected from


10. A method of preparing a functionalized polymer, as set forth inclaim 1, where said terminating agents are selected from


11. A method of preparing a functionalized polymer, as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said terminating agent is triphenylrffethane sulfenylchloride.
 12. A method of rerminating an anionically-polymerized polymercomprising the step of: reacting a living, anionically-polymerizedpolymer with a terminating agent that is defined by the formula (II)

 where S is a sulfur arom, C is a carbon atom, X is a halogen atom, andR2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen atoms andaliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon moieties.
 13. A method of preparing afunctionalized polymer, as set forth in claim 12, where said aliphaticor aromatic hydrocarbon moieties are neutral substituents.
 14. A methodof preparing a functionalized polymer, as set forth in claim 12, wheresaid carbon-based moieties include from 1 to about 24 carbon atoms.